MOBILE DEVICE WITH ULTRASOUND RANGING

• US 20140160893A1
• Filed: 03/11/2013
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Amm, David, Hotelling, Steven P., King, Brian Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,735,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/118
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2155 Acoustic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/737 Characterised by transmission of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. infrared waves

Abstract

Mobile devices with ultrasound ranging are disclosed. A mobile device with ultrasound ranging can include a multifunctional component capable of performing multiple functions in the device, where the component can function as an ultrasound transmitter capable of transmitting an ultrasound signal to a proximate device. In some examples, the component can also function as a power button capable of powering the device up and down. In some examples, the component can also function as a home button capable of causing a home page to display on the device. The mobile device can further include an ultrasound receiver capable of receiving an ultrasound signal from the proximate device, where the device can calculate a range of the proximate device based on a time lapse associated with the received ultrasound signal.

Claims

1. A mobile device comprising:

a multifunctional component capable of performing multiple functions in the device, the component functioning as a ultrasound transmitter capable of emitting a first signal to another device; and

an ultrasound receiver capable of receiving a second signal from the other device,

wherein the mobile device is capable of determining a range of the other device based on a time lapse associated with the second signal.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the component also functions as a power button capable of powering the device up or down.

3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the component also functions as a home button capable of causing a home page to display on the device.

4. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprising:

an audio receiver capable of detecting a third signal from an external audio source.

5. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor capable of finding the range based on a time lapse between time of transmission of the first signal and time of receipt of the second signal.

6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound receiver is combined with an audio receiver, the combined receiver capable of receiving the second signal from the other device and an audio signal from an external source.

7. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the component is disposed on an external surface of the device.

8. The mobile device of claim 1 comprising at least one of a mobile phone, a digital media player, or a personal computer.

9-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A ranging system comprising:

a first device; and

a second device proximate to the first device,

wherein the first device includes at least one ultrasound transmitter capable of transmitting a first signal toward the second device and at least one ultrasound receiver capable of receiving a second signal from the second device, the first device capable of determining a range of the second device based on at least the second signal, and

wherein the second device includes at least one ultrasound transmitter capable of transmitting the second signal to the first device in response to the first signal from the first device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first device includes at least two ultrasound transmitters, a first of the transmitters being disposed at a first side of the first device and a second of the transmitters being disposed at a second side of the first device.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the first device includes at least two ultrasound receivers, the receivers being disposed around the sides of the first device.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the first device includes at least one of a unidirectional, directed, or omnidirectional ultrasound transmitter and at least one of a unidirectional, directed, or omnidirectional ultrasound receiver.

23. A method of finding a range of a proximate device, comprising:

transmitting a first ultrasound signal;

recording a time of transmission of the first signal;

receiving a second ultrasound signal from a proximate device;

recording a time of receipt of the second signal; and

calculating a range between the mobile device and the proximate device based on a time lapse between the recorded time of transmission of the first signal and the recorded time of receipt of the second signal.

24. A mobile device comprising:

a housing; and

at least one ultrasound component disposed on an external surface of the housing and capable of at least one of transmitting or receiving an ultrasound signal.

25. The mobile device of claim 24, wherein the component is a transmitter capable of transmitting an ultrasound signal, a receiver capable of receiving the ultrasound signal, or a transceiver capable of both receiving a first ultrasound signal and transmitting a second ultrasound signal.